Niger Delta Citizens Alliance Commends NUPRC’s Four Years of Progress, Praises Komolafe’s Leadership

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has received praise from the Niger Delta Citizens Alliance (NDCA) for what it described as four years of ground-breaking accomplishments that have transformed Nigeria’s oil and gas sector and provided real advantages to host communities throughout the Niger Delta.

The Commission, led by Engineer Gbenga Komolafe, has restored credibility, transparency, and accountability to the upstream petroleum sector through disciplined regulatory reforms and data-driven governance, the group said in a statement released on Saturday in Port Harcourt by its President, Kingsley Charles, and Secretary General, Ogbobetta Nelli.

In addition to stabilizing the upstream sector since its establishment in 2021, NUPRC has made sure that host communities are at last included in the country’s oil prosperity. The statement states, “We have seen an unprecedented level of inclusion and fairness in resource management thanks to the visionary leadership of Engineer Komolafe.

The NDCA noted that the Commission has overseen the execution of more than 500 projects in oil-bearing states and the distribution of more than ₦373 billion in host community funds, and that the operationalization of the Host Community Development Trusts (HCDTs) continues to be one of NUPRC’s most transformative interventions.

The local communities’ quality of life has directly increased as a result of these improvements, which include water infrastructure, schools, health facilities, and roadways. More significantly, the public’s trust in the way funds are handled has increased thanks to the Commission’s visible HostComply digital dashboard. According to the Niger Delta group, host communities are witnessing tangible effects from the oil money drained from their land for the first time in decades.

The group also commended the Commission’s efforts to combat theft of crude oil and increase national production.

It stated that daily crude losses had decreased by more than 90% as a result of cooperative efforts and more stringent monitoring, and that the implementation of the “Drill or Drop” policy had revitalized dormant oilfields and drawn in fresh capital.

The industry has been revitalized by the Commission’s stress on productivity and responsibility. The statement went on, “NUPRC has repositioned Nigeria as a strong, competitive player in global energy markets by approving 79 Field Development Plans worth nearly $40 billion in potential investments and driving a surge in exploration activity.”

The Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), transparency in licensing rounds, and NUPRC’s focus on digital regulation have all strengthened the country’s revenue base and decreased bureaucratic inefficiencies that had previously impeded industry growth, according to the NDCA.

“The successes of the past four years demonstrate that efficient regulation may improve the lives of common people as well as the economy. Today, NUPRC is a shining example of reform, combining professionalism, openness, and national service in equal measure, according to the organization.